Traveling during the pandemic can be confusing, complicated and stressful if you don’t know what you’re in for. This is precisely why I have been traveling… to take the stress and confusion out of travel for you!

Safe Destination

Cancun recently piqued my interest when I learned the WTTC (World Trade and Tourism Council) gave it the stamp of approval as a “Safe Destination”. This means the destination was inspected for safety measures and precautions, and the Safe Destination stamp of approval is meant to assist travelers in choosing destinations and vendors with high safety and hygiene standards.

Furthermore, the JW Marriott, Cancun earned the very first cleanliness and safety certificate, also certified by World Trade and Tourist Council.

Location

The JW Marriott Cancun, is located in the hotel zone approximately 30 minutes from the Cancun international Airport. The best way to get from the airport to the hotel is by hiring a car service. It's also rather simple to rent a car, but completely unnecessary.

Transportation (Prestige)

I recommend you book with the hotel’s preferred transportation partner, Prestige, for a seamless and most importantly safe, ride to your hotel. A great pick up not only makes thing easier, but it also sets the tone for your vacation!

It all starts from the moment you land at the airport. The Prestige team is not messing around when it comes to your safety.

The first moment you connect with a team member, you will receive a squirt on hand sanitizer. When you reach the vehicle, your shoes and your luggage are sanitized with a spray, and before getting into the vehicle and you have a temperature check.

Additionally, all riders and drivers are mandated to keep their masks on to keep everyone safe.

The car service is also extremely affordable, with shared (but socially distant) rates at $18 per person each way, and private transfer from $60-90 each way depending on the number of guests in your party.

Personally, I would opt for a private transfer, because it would make me feel far more comfortable than a shared ride, and it’s very affordable.

Arrival

Upon arrival at the property, you will be met with sanitizing floor mats in many locations, more hand sanitizer, and plexiglass between you and the staff at check-in to help maintain everyone’s health and adhere to social distancing.

Masks are required indoors while on the property (and everywhere else in Cancun). Upon arrival, you will immediately notice the lack of crowds due to capacity restrictions.

Capacity

The maximum allowed capacity (at the time of publishing this article) for all hotels and resorts in Quintana Roo is only 30%. This allows for a large amount of social distancing and really made me feel safe while at the property.

Signage

Everywhere, you will see signs as reminders to social distance, or to not crowd the elevators. Sometimes it can be easy to forget about COVID when you are relaxing by the beach, so I love the reminders to keep guests aware and safe!

The Rooms

Before diving into the safety details, let’s get into how amazing this property is. Each room offers up an ocean view, no matter which part of the property you are in.

The room I had was was in a wing closest to the beach, and it offered up some pretty spectacular views of the uncrowded white sand beaches. My room featured a bar area, 1.5 bathrooms, a rainfall shower, a large tub, double balconies, and a separate living room and bedroom with walk in closet.

I loved listening to the waves crash while falling asleep or waking it, it really puts you in a relaxing mindset— but what I loved even more was knowing my room had gone through a rigorous cleaning process and was safe!

Housekeeping waits at least 24 hours between guests before even entering to clean. This means rooms aren’t being turned over from one guest to another in the same day— which made me feel extra safe.

In my room, I was met with sanitizing wipes which I used to wipe my phone whenever I came back in the room.

Infinity Pool

One of the prettiest sunsets I experienced in recent memory was from the JW infinity pool. It looked like the pool and the ocean melted together!

As far as social distancing, the pool was slightly busier than the beach, but still at a comfortable volume to allow plenty of social distancing!

Bali Bed

One of my favorite parts about the property were the Bali Beds— the JW Cancun’s version of a cabana. I had a picnic delivered to my bed and it was over the top incredible. It came with an assortment of juices, champagne, sandwiches, fruit, yogurt, and chocolate covered strawberries!

When you book your stay, I suggest picking out the day (or days) you want your Bali Bed reserved in advance and email or call the property to reserve before you arrive. They are already limited, and with the social distancing measures, only every other Bali Bed is able to be utilized.

This is not to be missed!

Trusted Travel Tip: If you order the picnic basket to your Bali Bed, you will definitely want eat a light breakfast or skip it all together. There is such a copious amount of food, you’ll want to arrive hungry!

Beach

With a maximum of 30% capacity at the resorts, I can say if you want to see the Cancun beaches at their finest, there has never been a better time to visit.

The chairs on the beach were spread safe distances apart where I felt comfortable, but for the most part the beach chairs were pretty empty. I felt really comfortable hanging out on the chairs (which are cleaned between guests) and eating.

The only thing you have to worry about when sitting by the beach are the birds— all ready to snatch your guacamole if you turn your back. Not a terrible problem to have— especially in 2020.

Mask Mandates

When I was visiting in July masks were encouraged by guests, and compliance was good. However, to improve safety, even more, masks are now mandatory for all guests while indoors.

This is great, because it just takes the safety measures to a whole new level. I felt safe and confident prior to this adjustment, but this would make me feel safer!

Socially Distant Dining

There are plenty of opportunities for safe socially distant dining between the JW restaurants and the adjoined Marriott property.

I generally skipped breakfast and turned my lunch into a brunch by the beach— however if you feel comfortable dining inside, there is a wonderful breakfast on property. Obviously, buffet breakfasts are a thing of the past, at least for now. To help maintain the safety, servers will take your order and bring your meal, rather than a buffet.

My favorite go-to dinner was the Thai restaurant, Sasi Thai, because of the wide open outdoor seating. As someone who travels to Thailand multiple times a year (normally), I found this to be pretty authentic. I highly recommend the tamarind martini when you visit!

Another favorite was the Japanese Restaurant, Mikado. Mikado had a small outdoor seating area, which I happily took advantage of and I felt very comfortable.

Gustino, the Italian restaurant, is wonderful and I recommend you don’t miss it. I walked down and ordered to-go, (as it’s indoor dining), and then I ate it on my balcony while watching the waves crash. Even if you take your meal to go, it’s worth popping in just to see how beautiful it is!

Not only are tables throughout the restaurants at a safe distance, but the staff works VERY hard to clean the tables and chairs between guests. I watched the staff go over each chair and table in great detail whenever any guests left.

Additionally, menu’s are digital via scanning a QR code with your phone. As a germaphobe, I love this and wouldn’t mind this as the norm everywhere post-COVID.

Drinks

There are plenty of places to enjoy a cocktail while visiting the hotel. My favorite by the beach is SacBe Beach Shack, which is at the adjoined Marriott property. The other must-visit is the JW Lobby Bar with 150 different types of margaritas!

Staff

The staff is not only hospitable and kind, but they are taking great care when it comes to maintaining guests safety. I learned the staff generally will work one week on, and one week off to ensure their health and the health of guests.

Excursions and Experiences

Sea Turtles

Thankfully, despite the virus, some things are the same as they have been for thousands of years— like the giant sea turtles returning to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs.

This was one of the most exciting parts of my trip, and a really great reason to book a trip in the summertime (June-August). As a SCUBA diver, it took me nearly 20 dives before I even saw a sea turtle for the first time, but even that wasn’t as exciting as watching a mama turtle lay her eggs and then head back out to sea, or having the chance to see the newborn sea turtles before they made their way to the ocean.

The sea turtles are endangered so it’s important to leave them alone when they are laying their eggs at night, and not use any flash photography. Additionally, the marine biologists and the lifeguards all look out for the hatchlings as well and relocate them to safe areas and do controlled releases— so chances are you won’t just see baby sea turtles hatching, but if you do its important to let them get to sea on their own.

Whale Sharks

Swimming with Whale Sharks is a bucket-list experience. Whale sharks are in fact sharks, but they are harmless. If you are visiting during whale shark season, this is a must-do experience. It’s easy to book from the hotel, or just walk across the street to jungle tours and you can book there!

Boats aren’t maxing out capacity, so you can feel pretty safe getting into a whale shark boat.

Deep-Sea Fishing

Deep-sea fishing is always a great time, and Cancun was no exception.

I shared a boat with a couple friends I met at the resort. We were all taking extreme precautions and wearing N95 masks, so I felt good about getting on a boat with them. We also were able to social distance ourselves pretty well.

We caught tuna and mahi-mahi, had many cervezas and I walked away with a great tan!

Trusted Travel Tip: If you aren’t sure if you get sea sick, pick up some sea sickness medicine (like dramamine) before your trip just in case.

Should you travel?

Travel, right now, is like everything else, its a risk versus reward scenario— just like going to the grocery store or opting to visit with a friend.

Although I can’t help you decide if you should travel, because its a personal decision, I can say will full confidence I felt safe from the virus at the JW Marriott Cancun and all throughout the Quintana Roo area.

Getting on a plane may seem scary at first, but I feel much more comfortable on a plane where everyone is mandated to wear a mask, than I do walking around my neighborhood where many people don’t wear a mask.

If you do plan to travel, let me know in the comment section below!

Traveling to the JW Marriott Cancun in 2021